Time to Live

I think I'm ready. Actually ready, ready. I'm ready to start living the life I daydream about. Am I the only one that does this? I have a tendency to live in my head too much; I am an INTP, after all. Since I was nine, I have wanted to live in the Pacific Northwest, and here I am! I made it. Sadly, I am not living the life I want to live. For a couple of years now, I've felt stagnant, and - dare I say it - actually afraid to do what I want. Afraid of what you might ask? (I know I did.) Afraid of failure. Isn't that silly? Not living the life I want due to fear of failing at living the life I want.

So what have I done instead? I've eaten my emotions. Too much food, too little movement, which is ironic since in my dream world I'm doing activities all the time: rock climbing, stand up paddleboarding, biking, yoga, you get the picture. It's time for me to do the things I want to do instead of opting out due to the notion that I'm not fit enough for them. I'll never know until I try.

I'm ready to embrace the Cascadia life. If you're like me - wanting to live here and live like the locals do - join me as I shed my old life and adopt a new one.

Staying at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel

A few months, I fulfilled a dream of mine: staying overnight at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. I spent a few days online making sure I got the best deal and the type of room I wanted. Since I am a resident of the state, I got 20% off my room. That savings lead me to upgrade the room I was originally thinking. I went with the executive suite. It was amazing.


Upon arriving, I was greeted by my name; every time after, I would be greeted by my name, and when I called room service, they answered with my name. It was such a nice touch. I wanted to really immerse myself in the experience of enjoying the room, so once I checked in, I didn't leave. I made the splurge to have a wonderful meal from room service. I'd never had room service before, and I loved every minute! The food was perfection.


I did not want my stay to end. Would I go back? Heck yes!

Tulip Festival

Every April in a neighboring county is the Tulip Festival. It's in Skagit County, which is about an hour north of Seattle, WA. It's a big thing here. There are fields covered in yellow and red tulips. They are gorgeous! You have to get there early April to see them before they're cut for sale.

In the middle of the month, the town of Mount Vernon always has a street fair on the weekend in the middle of the month. It's so much fun. So many booths! So many things to try! I never tire of it.

One of the artists created some work during the fair.

Yes, it was a Paint-a-Person booth. This was set up by this really cool arty story (see below). The store has fun nostalgic items on one side and serious art supplies on the other. It's a magical place. Truly.

If you're in the Puget Sound area in spring, be sure to check out the festival. It's huge and amazing. Spring is a great time out here. I'm in love with my home. 

I've been finding myself lacking inspiration for this blog. In fact, I have been contemplating switching to Tumblr. If that happens, I will post the link here, and hopefully you'll come with me. I am tossing around new ideas for this place. I've started a new job, and my husband returned from deployment. So, yes, I have been busy.

There's something about Spring. Without even knowing it, it's like I've awoken from a long slumber. Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting who I am with who I want to be. Does that sound crazy? It feels crazy. It's like my laziness is keeping me from going after what I want. I'm hoping to work on that this Spring.

What about you? What new things are you feeling or doing?

Cole Haan Bradshaw Pump



I am in love with my new shoes. I bought these beautiful Cool Haan pumps at DSW. They are very comfy for a pump. The heel is 2.5 inches, so not too tall. I've been wearing them at work, and so far so good. On the website, the pumps go for $248. Holy moly! I got mine at DSW for $100, which is a lot more than I would spend on heels, but I've decided my feet are worth the investment. My last pumps, from Michael Kors that I got on sale at DSW, didn't stay comfortable for long. Don't  you just hate it when you try on a shoe and it feels great only to have it betray you later on and hurt your feet? Yeah, me too.

My feet are wide, so it can be tricky finding a pump that works. I had just about given up on a pointy one until I found these. I remember my first pair of grown-up black pumps I bought in college. They were gorgeous. The heel was about an inch or so, and I just loved them. I wore them out. I'm hoping these new one will work as wonderfully as my first pair.

Bath and Body Works Sugar Scrub Review

Not too long ago, I bought the Orange Ginger Sugar Scrub from Bath and Body Works. While it smells amazing and leaves my skin very smooth (two pluses), I went through it in five uses. It doesn't last long at all. I applied it all over my body, just like I do with all of my other scrubs. Usually they last a long time. Not this guy.

I think this would be great if you use it for either hands or feet, but not for a full body scrubbing. I have a scrub from The Body Shop that my husband bought me, which I'm looking forward to using. I love that store.

What scrubs do you use? I'd love suggestions!

Timeless Elegance

Sometimes I like to fantasize about the goodies I would invest in if money weren't an issue. Yes, invest. There are many pieces of fashion that are timeless and are meant to last decades, like a beautiful Burberry trench coat or a pair of pearl earrings. Some investments are for comfort, like a pair of great fitting shoes. I've created a collection of timeless elegance that I would purchase if I had an unlimited budget. Some items I already have, like the Chloe perfume. I love a timeless, understated, elegant look like the items below would create.


I'd love to hear what you think and what items - not necessarily from below, you find timeless and/or elegant.

Burberry slim coat, $1,840 / L.K.Bennett round toe suede pumps, $300 / Kate Spade red crossbody / MELANIE GEORGACOPOULOS 18k earrings / FOSSIL stainless steel watch / Bare Escentuals mineral lipstick / Chloé lily perfume

Pacific NW Style

If you haven't noticed, I love living in Puget Sound, WA. It is such a wonderful place. Seattle and Vancouver, Canada are less than two hours away, and it's so easy to find healthy and natural food/products. It's wonderful. I have trees, I have mountains, and I have the sea. I am in paradise.

I've been adopting a NW style over the months I've been here. So, what exactly is the style like here? It's part sophisticated, part quirky, and part relaxed. Many of us tend to be drawn to the outdoors, and it's reflected in our dress. For me, I love wearing my Bean Boots with yoga pants, a plaid shirt, and a warm zip-up vest topped off with a beanie. Another cute, common look out her and a breezy dress with a cardigan, tights, flats, and scarf. I typically don't wear the last look as I don't have the cute dresses yet. I'm hoping this year more of the dresses will be available in the style I like.

The first style is one I adore. Maybe this will be the year I brave the second look.

Vegan Cuts Beauty Box

I finally decided to start a beauty subscription. Well, I signed up for two, but the other one hasn't arrived yet. The first box I have comes from Vegan Cuts. Each month, for $19.95, you get 4-7 items that are vegan, cruelty-free, and good for both you and the environment. I swear, it's like Christmas each month. The items are really good sizes, so it's a pretty good deal. Yes, there are many other beauty boxes that are cheaper, but with Vegan Cuts I can be sure it's cruelty-free, which is very important to me.

Here's what I got this month:

1. DermOrganic Masque and Shampoo
2. Gourmet Body Treats Scrub
3. Ellovi Butter
4. Modern Minerals Eyeshadow
5. Crazy Rumors Lip Balm
6. Bella Pierre Nail Polish

So far, I've tried the lip balm and love it. The Modern Minerals eyeshadow is a beautiful copper color, which is perfect for my eyes. I'm in the middle of doing my winter clean out in my house, so I've put off playing with these goodies until the weekend. But let me tell you, they smell so good, and they are good sizes to try and use. It's a great way to find new products and test them out before you buy.

Seattle Spots to See

Monday, I went on another excursion to Seattle, one of my favorite cities. I went mostly for the photography I would take, but I also stopped at the Seattle Art Museum. Mostly, I stayed at the touristy places like Pike Place Market. If you're in Seattle, here are some of my favorite places in downtown.

You can't go to Seattle and not visit Pike Place Market. I recommend going during the week in the morning as it won't be as busy. The vendors tend to close up around 4 P.M. There are stores and individual stall since it also has a great farmers market. While there, be sure to check out the Wall of Gum. The original Starbucks is here; it is on the small alley right across from the farmers market. You can find it by the original Starbuck sign that hangs down.

While you're at the Market, a few shops from the Starbucks is a little bit of Heaven called Le Panier. It is a glorious French bakery. The macaroons are the reason I go here. They are scrumptious. There is always a line, but it is worth it. You should get a macaroon in each flavor. I don't have a favorite since they're all so wonderful.

Another gem in the Market is Market Spice. This place is famous for their Cinnamon-Orange tea, which I'm drinking at the moment. Oh my word that tea is good. The store has several other types of tea, spices, and tools of the trade. To find this store, look for the fish being thrown (which is another famous part of the Market).

The Market is wonderful. You can spend hours there. No need to worry about food or restrooms as there are plenty of both. For parking, I recommend parking in the Target garage and walking the couple of blocks to it. Much cheaper than the Market parking lot.

The Beauty of the Bees

I've had bee products on the mind lately. The smell of honey is divine, and it can make some great beauty products. It smells so nourishing and natural. I've been wanting to try a bee venom moisturizer, but it can be a little pricey. I'm hoping one day it might come down. But then, how cruelty-free is it? Oh dear. I hadn't thought of that. Does anyone know the process? I don't want an animal or critter to be harmed just for my vanity. Gotta research this. Anywho, here are some products - and items - inspired by bees and their delicious honey.

Rodial face moisturizer / The Body Shop face mask / Rituals body moisturizer, $26 / Queen Bee body cleanser / Burt s Bees body moisturizer, $15 / Fornash honey bee earrings / Laura Mercier candles candleholder, $79

Remedies for Dry Winter Skin

I hope you had a lovely few holidays! I went back to my parents for about a week. It was nice to visit, but it sure is wonderful to be back home.

This winter has been especially harsh on my skin. It's very dry here in Puget Sound right now, and my skin is taking the brunt of it. My feet are so dry that they're cracking and peeling. Gosh, it can be painful. This has never happened to me, so naturally, it freaked me out. After trying several products and steps, I think I have found a good solution.

Step 1 - Soak your feet in a nice foot spa that can bubble and keep the heat. Add bath salts to the water for your soak. You can even find foot soak fizzies, which I love.
Step 2 - Use a pumice to smooth your feet and remove the dead skin. Pat dry.
Step 3 - Using a cotton ball or cotton pad, apply olive oil to your feet. Massage in.
Step 4 - Once the olive oil has been soaked up, apply a strong lotion, preferably one for feet as they tend to be thicker.
Step 5 - Put on socks right after you apply the lotion.

I have been doing this a few evenings, and I can tell a difference. Olive oil...who knew?

Holiday Nails

This time of year, we tend to go to a few parties. I am going to a party for work on Saturday as a matter of fact. A fun, easy way to get all festive is to add nail polish. It quickly adds a bit of glam or fun to your look. A brand I just discovered is LVX. This company is cruelty-free (yay!) and is free of the top five harsh chemicals found in polish (yay!). The three colors that caught my eye are Luxe, Sanguine, and Alchemy, which are in order below.

Do you have a favorite polish for this time of year? This might be the year of the red for me. Surprisingly, I have never owned red nail polish. I just might have to get some. Sanguine just says Christmas to me. I love reds and greens everywhere with silver and gold accents. Luxe and Alchemy remind me of the song "Silver and Gold" from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. A little nail polish, some lotion for the dry weather, and you're all set!

Should You Wax Your Face?

Since we're in the Christmas season with parties and other get-togethers, I'll be doing a series on holiday pampering and gifting, starting with what I'm doing this week: a whole fax wax. I'm hoping with this posting you'll know more about what it is and why I can't live without it.

Background, first. I inherited a lot of hair from my dad. It's great on my head and eyebrows, but it also creeps all over my face and neck. This has been a lifelong problem. I never shaved my face - ew - but I did try birth control to help it and to regulate my heavy period. TMI, I know.

One day, my husband kindly told me it looked like I had a mustache. I'm not being sarcastic; he very nicely told me of my dilemma, which I wanted him to do. So, I booked an appointment for a lip waxing. I'll be honest. The upper lip is the most painful part of the face to be waxed, but man did I feel like a woman after!

After enjoying the hairless lip for a month, I decided to get the whole face done. It is cheaper to do that. Where has this been my whole life?! No longer was I a werewolf! I was a real woman! No more hair on my sides! I had the perfect eyebrows! It was wonderful!

So what should you expect or need to know? Do not drink caffeine the day you get it done. It makes it so much more painful. Caffeine affects the nervous system, so you will feel the burn much more than you normally would. Which leads to my next part. The upper lip will hurt, but not as much as you think it will. Tell your esthetician to put a lot of numbing cream on you to help. Let her or him know if your skin is more sensitive than what is considered average. After you have your waxing, use some lavender essential oil on your face. It smells great and helps with irritation.

Will this make your hair darker or coarser? No. In face, it will have the opposite effect. The more you have waxings, the longer you can go between waxings.

I have been doing this for over a year, and I always go to Michelle. I highly recommend you use the same person each time. Michelle now knows my skin and what works best for me. She puts on great products to help with ease the hair out and to help with pain and irritation. This procedure has the potential to be painful if performed by the wrong person, so start with a small part of your face to see if you like the person's technique or not.

I absolutely cannot live without my waxings. If you have unruly facial hair, you should get this done.

Beauty Love: Bare Escentuals

In my never-ending quest for the perfect cruelty-free eyeliner, I think I have found a winner. I'm excited about this. As many of you know, I love Flower Beauty cosmetics. The line has a great liquid liner that I use, but it's only available in black or brown; it is a great product. The navy shade in the pencil liner is a perfect shade and goes on great. The other shades are too dark for what I want, so I turned to Bare Escentuals, and I struck gold. I chose the Lasting Line Long Wearing Eyeliner in brown, grey, and orchid. They are great. They go on smoothly, and the pigmentation is exactly what I want - not too dark and not too light.

Bare Escentuals also has a skin care line that I have started trying and am loving it. I plan on trying more after I run out of what I already have, at least the moisturizer.

If  you've tried any of Bare Escentuals products, tell me what  you think!

The Big 3-0

The day has come. I am now 30. With this age, I've always imagined that overnight I would become poised, talented, and together. A real adult. Hmm. Maybe if I remember this throughout the days it will naturally happen.

When I first started this blog, I created a list, 30 Before 30, which was a list of goals and wishes to accomplish by today. Did I do it? Let's see.

30 Before 30

1. Become a librarian. (I became one last month! Yay!)
2. Return to karate or do Krav Maga.
3. Go on a trip on my own. (I went on two overnight trips to Seattle. I had so much fun.)
4. Visit Ireland.
5. Write at least half of a novel.
6. Read all Jane Austen novels. (I read 2.5. Dang.)
7. Watch Casablanca.
8. Go camping - real camping, not in the backyard. (Camping at Mt. Baker twice; once was nowhere near campgrounds.)
9. Visit an Ivy League university.
10. Eat/drink at Laduree.
11. Start a flower garden or potted plants. (I planted them. And killed them. But at least I tried!)
12. Go to Hawai'i.
13. Learn archery. (It's one of my favorite activities.)
14. Go to Disney - either Land or World. (Went to Disneyland twice while living in San Diego. I loved my time there.)
15. Learn to play poker.
16. Visit Seattle, Washington and have coffee. (I have been wanting to do this since elementary school. It was perfect.)
17. Create and finish the dating/engagement scrapbook.
18. Take high or afternoon tea. (Many afternoon tea experiences under my belt.)
19. Go to a planetarium and star gaze.
20. Go horseback riding on the beach.
21. Have a picnic in the mountains. (Part of the camping trips.)
22. Eat brightly colored macaroons.(In Chicago and Seattle. They are amazing!)
23. Build a house or church for a community.
24. Be at goal weight.
25. See the Pacific Ocean (Saw it in San Diego.)
26. Visit a Renaissance festival.
27. Learn to ride a motorcycle.
28. Complete the Love Dare.
    
29. Learn how to put my hair in a neat bun or chignon. (Not as difficult as I thought)
    
30. Go paintballing. 

Almost half were accomplished, so not too bad I guess. It looks like it's now time to make goals for this new decade of living. 

Charity Run - an Amazing App

I am on a roll with postings. I was reading InStyle magazine and found this great app. It is too good of an app for me to not pass along to you. The app Charity Miles is great for runners, walkers, and bikers. As you do your exercise, it keeps track of it. For every mile you do, the company donates a certain amount of money to the charity of your choice. I just downloaded it and haven't tested it out, but it looks like that each time you go for you miles, you can chose a different - or the same - charity. Very nice, especially since there are so many charities I want to help.

A Must-Have Tea Tool

I love hot tea so much, especially in the winter. While doing some casual shopping, I came upon an amazing tool from Tea Forte: Luci Loose Tea Infuser. It's amazing. Just add the loose leaf tea into the metal caddy and then stir into a cup of hot water. It also comes with its own tray to keep the water drippings in an easy to clean place. This is perfect for those times where you want loose leaf tea but not a whole pot of it. This is one of my new favorite things.

If You Could Only Have One Makeup Item...

What if you can only have one item of makeup? Do you know what you would choose? For me, it's a corrector. Hands down, it is the most important item I wear. I currently use Bobbi Brown's Corrector in Light Bisque. I tend to have dark circles under my eyes, and this stuff gets rid of them instantly. However, I will be looking for a new brand after this is out as Bobbi Brown is owned by Estee Lauder, which means Bobbi Brown is no longer cruelty-free. They sell in China, and China requires animal testing on all products. I will be scouring My Beauty Bunny for a replacement.

How to use - apply under eyes with a concealer makeup brush. Then, brush on powder to set.

I don't know where this has been my whole life, but I will never be without it again.

NaNoWriMo Is Here!

It's that time of year again! November is the National Novel Writing Month! I've heard about this, but usually when I remember it, the month is halfway over. The fun thing with this is you can either write a novel or 50K words. I'm torn with doing this. I want to sit down and accept this challenge, but my husband leaves for deployment at the beginning of December. So, who knows what I might end up doing. Either way, I will report back at the end of the month.

So, grab your pen and paper or your computer and start to write the next bestseller!